The official "Ask a cop/deputy anything!" thread

[Lady Jane]

A couple of years ago, I was invited to ride to Bangor Maine with members of the Blue Knights MC. And was presented with this little token.


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[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Motor Cop 1...Bad guy 0.

And he's riding my bike! Luv you guys! Go get'em! [COLOR="Red"]♥♥♥[/COLOR]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

A couple of years ago, I was invited to ride to Bangor Maine with members of the Blue Knights MC. And was presented with this little token.


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That is awesome!!!!!

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

A couple of years ago, I was invited to ride to Bangor Maine with members of the Blue Knights MC. And was presented with this little token.


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Toronto Police bought a bunch of BMW's about 20 years ago. The guys didn't like them and we ended up staying with the Harleys that have been standard use since the beginning of time. Hell, the guys put side cars on them and ride them in the winter here. The BMW's are still around but relegated to the Parking Enforcement guys.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Murf993

Toronto Police bought a bunch of BMW's about 20 years ago. The guys didn't like them and we ended up staying with the Harleys that have been standard use since the beginning of time. Hell, the guys put side cars on them and ride them in the winter here. The BMW's are still around but relegated to the Parking Enforcement guys.

The very first BMWs used by Metro were equipped with Nivomat rear shocks and despite their ability to self level, some of your officers plus their hardware were too heavy and the bike would bottom often and the piston inside the shock would eventually collapse. The BMWs are a lot faster and nimble especially in tight alleyways or pursuit. The new Rts have a beefy dial on the fly rear monoshock. Some of you guys just needed to lose weight. hi hi...

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

The very first BMWs used by Metro were equipped with Nivomat rear shocks and despite their ability to self level, some of your officers plus their hardware were too heavy and the bike would bottom often and the piston inside the shock would eventually collapse. The BMWs are a lot faster and nimble especially in tight alleyways or pursuit. The new Rts have a beefy dial on the fly rear monoshock. Some of you guys just needed to lose weight. hi hi...

I was never a traffic man (we have a saying about them), but a number of my friends were. It had nothing to do with the shocks or bottoming out. Generally, they found the Harley's more comfortable in traffic, Toronto is a big city with lots of it. So sitting idling was more comfortable with the lower riding position. The notion of using a motorcycle in a pursuit really doesn't factor in because they are rare and frankly discouraged. Too many coppers have been killed on motorcycles. As far as "nimble" goes, I would put some of my friends on the precision team against just about anyone riding anything. I know the BMW is faster, and some of the guys liked that but it really isn't a factor in the city as much as it is on the highway. Hell, ever the OPP and just about every other police service in Ontario who has motorcycles still use Harley's. http://tpsnews.ca/blogs/2014/09/to-tops-two-wheels/

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Murf993

I was never a traffic man (we have a saying about them), but a number of my friends were. It had nothing to do with the shocks or bottoming out. Generally, they found the Harley's more comfortable in traffic, Toronto is a big city with lots of it. So sitting idling was more comfortable with the lower riding position. The notion of using a motorcycle in a pursuit really doesn't factor in because they are rare and frankly discouraged. Too many coppers have been killed on motorcycles. As far as "nimble" goes, I would put some of my friends on the precision team against just about anyone riding anything. I know the BMW is faster, and some of the guys liked that but it really isn't a factor in the city as much as it is on the highway. Hell, ever the OPP and just about every other police service in Ontario who has motorcycles still use Harley's. http://tpsnews.ca/blogs/2014/09/to-tops-two-wheels/

Don't get me wrong, I love BMW motorcycles. But I also know that you use the right tool for the job. I did a bit of research. TPS has been using motorcycles since 1912, they have had Honda, Triumph, Norton, BMW but mostly HD. I remember the first BMW's were about 20 years ago they also bought some in 2010 for a trial, but they seem to stick with HD.

Here's an article if you're interested about the last trial of BMW's in 2010. This was at the beginning of the year long trial.

https://www.toronto.com/news-story/5...w-motorcycles/

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Murf993

But I also know that you use the right tool for the job.

Exactly. And I would never question their choice. On a funny note, when I first arrived in Germany, I remember being passed on the autobahn at a very high rate of speed by a couple of white and green leather clad riders on matching color BMWs. I wondered what club they belonged to...

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Exactly. And I would never question their choice. On a funny note, when I first arrived in Germany, I remember being passed on the autobahn at a very high rate of speed by a couple of white and green leather clad riders on matching color BMWs. I wondered what club they belonged to...

So I get that BMW is a great highway bike, but I'll tell you the motorcycle course that TPS and OPP get is great, you can ride when you're done. I know that they routinely travel at well into triple digits and will also make the students run off on the gravel shoulder at those speeds.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Murf993

So I get that BMW is a great highway bike, but I'll tell you the motorcycle course that TPS and OPP get is great, you can ride when you're done. I know that they routinely travel at well into triple digits and will also make the students run off on the gravel shoulder at those speeds.

The CHP opted for Harley to discourage pursuits. The Motors preferred the BMW's, Honda's and Kawi's.

[mahalom3]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

Tint citation? What's that?

Having tinted windows on your vehicles is another tool for us in law enforcement to conduct a TS and have probable cause to get in search your vehicle as well. I don't really in force it unless I have to and it all depends on the demeanor of the individual but I know CHP will give you a fix a ticket.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

The CHP opted for Harley to discourage pursuits. The Motors preferred the BMW's, Honda's and Kawi's.

I know there are excellent motorcycle cops out there, but doing a pursuit on a motorcycle is dangerous.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by mahalom3

Having tinted windows on your vehicles is another tool for us in law enforcement to conduct a TS and have probable cause to get in search your vehicle as well. I don't really in force it unless I have to and it all depends on the demeanor of the individual but I know CHP will give you a fix a ticket.

Yep! It's mainly a verbal from me as long as everything checks out okay.

Originally Posted by Murf993

I know there are excellent motorcycle cops out there, but doing a pursuit on a motorcycle is dangerous.

Agreed! A friend of mine named Trevor works for Pomona P.D. and he had a horrific crash about 6-7 years ago. He still hasn't fully recovered. We lost a motor deputy a month ago. He was broadsided by a driver in a Mercedes during a pursuit.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by mahalom3

Having tinted windows on your vehicles is another tool for us in law enforcement to conduct a TS and have probable cause to get in search your vehicle as well. I don't really in force it unless I have to and it all depends on the demeanor of the individual but I know CHP will give you a fix a ticket.

I believe what you're referring to is something we call "the attitude test".

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Murf993

I know there are excellent motorcycle cops out there, but doing a pursuit on a motorcycle is dangerous.

Maybe but I would trade my day job for that one.


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[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Maybe but I would trade my day job for that one.


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Is that you?

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

The CHP opted for Harley to discourage pursuits. The Motors preferred the BMW's, Honda's and Kawi's.

Ponch and Jon rode Kawis

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Is that you?

I wish....

[Fly320s]

Originally Posted by mahalom3

Having tinted windows on your vehicles is another tool for us in law enforcement to conduct a TS and have probable cause to get in search your vehicle as well. I don't really in force it unless I have to and it all depends on the demeanor of the individual but I know CHP will give you a fix a ticket.

Window tint is probable cause for a search?


Are you guys in favor of or opposed to the anti-tint law?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

Window tint is probable cause for a search?


Are you guys in favor of or opposed to the anti-tint law?

No. He means that the tint is reason to conduct a traffic stop. At that point it depends on the circumstances whether or not we can search the vehicle, but the tint got us the RS for the stop. We will pat down the car for weapons if we decide to pull you out of the vehicle, which is different than a search.

Personally I couldn't care less who has tint, but professionally it matters a lot.......so my answer is yes and no.

[Fly320s]

Ah. Gotcha.

How is a vehicle pat down not a search? Is it just a quick look around the driver's seat to see if there is a Bazooka hidden?

Sounds like a search to me. Limited in scope, maybe, but still a search.

Or maybe it is an extension of the Terry frisk?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

Ah. Gotcha.

How is a vehicle pat down not a search? Is it just a quick look around the driver's seat to see if there is a Bazooka hidden?

Sounds like a search to me. Limited in scope, maybe, but still a search.

Or maybe it is an extension of the Terry frisk?

It's exactly that, and the courts allow for it. Observing what is in plain sight (..e.g. doesn't require the officer to manipulate or open anything, although center consoles do get checked because they are readily accessible.) isn't a search as the courts/case law defines it.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

It's exactly that, and the courts allow for it. Observing what is in plain sight (..e.g. doesn't require the officer to manipulate or open anything, although center consoles do get checked because they are readily accessible.) isn't a search as the courts/case law defines it.

R v Shea in Canada, the plain sight doctrine. Comes from the police attending a home a million years ago, they were there for a domestic if I recall and there was drugs and paraphernalia in plain sight on the coffee table, arrest no warrant required. Same goes for cars etc. If you're dealing with someone lawfully and see something in plane view it's fair game. Things have become much more rigid now, so sometimes we have to get a warrant for a car unless we have some exigency. I'm glad to be retired....did I mention I'm retired.